We’re finally in the holiday season this year — so how about a Christmas movie night with the kids? If you’re nodding to that suggestion, we’ve got you covered. Below, we’ve compiled the ultimate family-friendly holiday movie list. These kid-friendly picks guarantee something the whole family can enjoy, from old-school classics like White Christmas to newcomers like Prime Video’s Candy Cane Lane, Netflix’s The Family Switch and Disney’s The Naughty Nine.
After all that 2024 had to offer, there’s nothing that sounds better than a movie you know half by heart, a guarantee that Christmas will be saved before the credits roll, and the knowledge that even the roughest of years can’t take the glorious tradition of holiday movie binge-watching away from you.
Though delightful new Christmas movie additions come out every year, the heart of these holiday movies is all the same: family, the joy of giving back, and the spirit of togetherness. Oh yeah — and just a touch of holiday magic.
Let yourself be swept away with these family-friendly holiday picks.
A version of this article was previously published in October 2020.
‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’
In this brand-new release, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever follows mom of two Grace (played by Judy Greer) as she signs up to direct her church’s annual Christmas pageant for the very first time. Things then quickly go awry, however, when the Herdmans, aka “the worst kids in the history of the world,” walk their way into lead roles in the show.
‘Family Switch’
Starring Ed Helms and Jennifer Garner, 2023’s Family Switch is the perfect blend of Freaky Friday meets the Christmas spirit. The movie follows a family of four when chaos ensues as the parents swap bodies with their teenage kids.
‘Jingle All the Way’
In Jingle All the Way, viewers will see a workaholic dad (Arnold Schwarzenegger) go to extreme lengths to find the Christmas gift he had promised to his son.
‘The Princess Switch’
Feeling trapped by the pressures of royal life, the soon-to-be princess Lady Margaret finds a chance for a break when she meets an identical American baker named Stacy. Once they switch, they find out each other’s lives might be exactly what they’ve been looking for.
‘I’ll Be Home for Christmas’
I’ll Be Home for Christmas follows a teenage boy (Jonathan Taylor Thomas) on his mission to get home in time for Christmas. Plus, you’ll see Jessica Biel in one of her very first roles!
‘Fred Claus’
Starring Vince Vaughn and Paul Giamatti, 2007’s Fred Claus follows the unexpected duo of Santa Claus and his trouble-making brother, Fred. When Fred gets into trouble with the law, he’s then forced to work for his brother to make the magic of Christmas come to life.
‘Candy Cane Lane’
Starring Edie Murphy and Tracee Ellis Ross, Prime Video’s new Christmas movie Candy Cane Lane tells the story of one dad willing to do just about anything to win his street’s Christmas decoration competition.
‘The Naughty Nine’
The Naughty Nine tells the story of a mischievous fifth grader who puts together a team to steal from the North Pole after he doesn’t get any gifts.
‘A Boy Called Christmas’
In a quest to find hope and joy and bring it back home, a young boy named Nickolas travels to a magical land in A Boy Called Christmas.
‘Scrooge: A Christmas Carol’
In another rendition of the classic Christmas tale of Scrooge and the three spirits in 2022’s animated movie Scrooge: A Christmas Carol. The movie, starring Luke Evans and Olivia Colman, tells the story of selfish miser Ebenezer Scrooge as three spirits visit him to try and change his mind about Christmas.
‘Spirited’
2022’s Spirited, starring Ryan Reynolds and Will Farrell, tells the story of Scrooge and the three spirits with a modern and hilarious twist. Oh, and did we mention that fantastic musical numbers?
‘Christmas With the Kranks’
Starring Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis, Christmas With the Kranks tells the story of two recent empty-nesters who are eager to spend their first holiday season solo. That is, however, until their neighbors hear word of their less-than-traditional Christmas.
‘Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas’
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas tells the story Jack Skellington, a scary creature who’s growing old his Pumpkin King gimic. That is, however, until he discovers the magic of Christmas and becomes determind to spread Christmas joy.
‘Angela’s Christmas’
Based on the children’s book Angela and the Baby Jesus by Frank McCourt, Angela’s Christmas tells the heartwarming story of a little girl who steals away a Baby Jesus from church and has to deal with the consequences.
‘Arthur Christmas’
2011’s Arthur Christmas hopes to answer one of the most highly-debated Christmas questions of all-time: How does Santa deliver all the presents in one night to billions around the world? The movie follows Arthur, Santa’s grandson, as he helps an army-worth of Elves to deliver every single present.
‘8-Bit Christmas’
A new Christmas classic is on the way courtesy of…Nintendo? Yes, you read that right! 8-Bit Christmas features Neil Patrick Harris as Jake Doyle, who tells his daughter the story of a Christmas back in the late ’80s when everyone (and we mean everyone) wanted to get their hands on a Nintendo. It’s a journey to get the holiday gift everyone wants, and a young Jake Doyle will stop at nothing to get it.
‘The Nutcracker and the Four Realms’
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms is a dazzling story based on the ballet The Nutcracker. When Clara (Mackenzie Foy) is transported into a world full of amazing sights and characters like a Sugar Plum Fairy (Keira Knightley), she must battle the forces of an evil mouse army to save the day.
‘Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch’
Whether you’re a fan of the original, 1966 Boris Karloff-narrated cartoon, or Jim Carrey’s wild interpretation of the Dr. Seuss character, there are plenty of iterations of How The Grinch Stole Christmas to go around. In 2018, Benedict Cumberbatch voiced the iconic Christmas curmudgeon, in this animated retelling of the classic story, Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch.
‘Noelle’
2019’s Noelle stars Anna Kendrick in the titular role. When her father, the one and only Santa Claus, retires, it’s up to Noelle to save Christmas when her brother Nick Kringle (Bill Hader) gets cold feet.
‘Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey’
Starring Forest Whitaker, Keegan-Michael Key, Phylicia Rashad, and more, Netflix’s Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Story tells the story of legendary toymaker Jeronicus Jangle, whose apprentice steals his most valuable invention. Jangle’s granddaughter takes on the family cause and tries to bring them back together for the holiday.
‘The Christmas Chronicles 2’
Even if you missed the first Christmas Chronicles, there will be plenty to enjoy in this Christopher Columbus classic starring Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn and Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. Teen daughter Kate (Darby Camp of Big Little Lies) is struggling over the holidays with her mother’s new boyfriend and his family in tow. But a magical mischief-maker named Belsnickel pulls Kate and her brother back into their quest to save Christmas with the Clauses.
‘Alien Xmas’
Uh oh! There’s an alien invasion and these kleptomaniac extraterrestrials want to steal Earth’s gravity. Who can stop them? Only the spirit of Christmas — and one small alien named X — can save the day in this holiday movie.
‘A Christmas Carol’
This animated Christmas Carol starring Jim Carrey as Ebeneezer Scrooge will always have a special place in our hearts.
‘Elf’
Starring Will Ferrell and Zooey Deschanel, Elf is a holiday gem that will have the whole family laughing with its hilarious (and extremely quotable) one-liners and perfectly lifts your spirits with its sweetness, humor, and all-around innocence. Fair warning, though. You will be hearing “Buddy the elf, what’s your favorite color?” from your kids nonstop, and they might try to convince you to make Buddy’s spaghetti for dinner — that is, spaghetti covered in maple syrup, chocolate, and sprinkles. Truly hysterical for kids and adults!
‘Klaus’
Meet the new postman of Smeerensburg, Jesper — down on his luck after a rough go in postal academy and his placement in an icy and unfriendly town. Just when all hope seems lost, Jesper manages to strike up an unlikely friendship with mysterious carpenter Klaus, and the power of their kindness ushers in a new era of holiday spirit for the island.
‘The Polar Express’
Based on the utterly gorgeous book written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg, The Polar Express tells the story of a young boy who wasn’t sure he believed in Santa until he was whisked away on Christmas Eve night to the North Pole and received the first gift of Christmas from Santa himself. Starring the vocal talents of Tom Hanks as pretty much every character, this is a perfect holiday film the whole family will enjoy.
‘Home Alone’
This classic Macaulay Culkin film about 8-year-old Kevin McCallister proves a) the ingenuity and resourcefulness of kids and b) those robbers must have been newbies. When Kevin is left home alone as his family rushes off on Christmas vacation, instead of freaking out, he successfully defeats two burglars who try to break into his house.
On the downside, if you’re going to show your kids this movie, expect your house to be booby-trapped. A lot.
‘Miracle on 34th Street’
Who can forget this enchanting remake that poses the quintessential holiday question: Do you believe in Santa Claus? Starring familiar faces Richard Attenborough (yes, older brother of renowned naturalist and narrator of all things BBC, David Attenborough) Mara Wilson, Dylan McDermott, and Elizabeth Perkins? The film tells the story of an old man hired at Macy’s who claims to be the Kris Kringle, is declared insane, put on trial and, in the process, restores everyone’s faith in the good in people.
‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’
From creator Charles Schulz, beloved Charlie Brown does it again, this time learning what the meaning of Christmas is. This timeless special will warm your heart as you watch Charlie Brown and the gang try to put on a holiday play and learn a few lessons along the way. Charlie Brown’s piddly Christmas tree will teach you it’s amazing what a little love can do, and Snoopy’s antics will leave you giggling.
‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’
This remake of the beloved animated Dr. Seuss story stars Jim Carrey as the abominable Grinch, who detests Christmas and terrorizes the town of Whoville. Determined to ruin Christmas once and for all by stealing it from the unsuspecting Who’s.
Carrey has a ridiculous number of hilarious one-liners, like when he bites into a glass bottle, and then wonders aloud, “Am I just eating because I’m bored?” Truly a Christmas classic, this remake will make your heart grow three sizes.
‘White Christmas’
White Christmas is a feel-good star-studded musical with Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney. The singers all team up to perform a Christmas show in rural Vermont, where they run into the boys’ commander from World War II, who they learn is having financial difficulties; his quaint country inn is failing. So what’s the foursome to do but plan a yuletide miracle: a fun-filled musical extravaganza. As you do. This movie has heart and soul and will have you in awe of the costumes, musical numbers and sets.
‘The Santa Clause’
When Santa falls off a roof on Christmas Eve, an unsuspecting dad named Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) unwittingly becomes the new Santa when he puts on Santa’s suit. He is taken to the North Pole, where he must step up to the plate and begrudgingly become Santa Claus. His son, Charlie, is proud of his dad’s new job, though Scott’s convinced it’s a dream — until his hair turns white, his beard refuses to stay shaved, he gains weight inexplicably and he suddenly can’t stop eating junk food. Now that he’s accepted it, there’s just one problem: how to keep it secret from his disbelieving family.
‘The Muppet Christmas Carol’
The Muppet Christmas Carol, as the title suggests, tells the story of the classic tale of The Christmas Carol told by your favorite muppets. It’s the perfect blend of touching and hilarious, what’s not to love?
‘It’s a Wonderful Life’
In this Holiday classic, James Stewart’s character George is having a hard in life before he’s surprised by his guardian angel, Clarence. With his help, he realizes all the joy he’s been able to share with the community, as well as embodying the true spirit of Christmas.
‘A Christmas Story’
In a movie that’s both hilarious and action-packed, A Christmas Story tells the story of a young boy named Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) on his mission to get his ideal Christmas gift, a “Red Ryder air rifle.” Frequently at odds with his cranky dad (Darren McGavin) and his high school bully, Ralphie struggles to make it to Christmas Day with his glasses and his hopes intact.
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